Marvin stood in the East Wing, staring at the cracked wall where the rift had once been.
"…This place still gives me bad vibes," he muttered.
The air was calmer now, but not normal. The faint hum beneath the walls hadn't disappeared—it had only quieted, like something sleeping lightly.
He tightened his grip on the glowing crystal in his hand.
"Alright… let's see if this actually works."
He pressed the Stabilization Crystal against the wall.
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
"…Don't tell me I wasted my only—"
The crystal dissolved into light.
The wall reacted instantly.
A soft glow spread outward, filling every crack, every fracture. The jagged lines slowly sealed themselves, like time reversing just for the surface of the wall.
Marvin stepped back, eyes wide. "Okay… that's actually cool."
DING!
System Notice: East Wing Stability Increased.
Structural Integrity: 45% → 72%
Marvin grinned. "Now that's what I'm talking about."
The heavy feeling in the air lifted slightly. The oppressive pressure that once filled the corridor faded, replaced by something… quieter.
Safer.
For now.
DING!
Quest Progress: Facility Upgrade (1/1 Completed).
The system window expanded again.
Reward Unlocked: Expansion Access Granted.
New Area Available: West Wing (Dormant).
Marvin blinked. "Another wing?"
He turned slowly.
As if responding to the system, a new hallway revealed itself behind him—walls shifting, space rearranging like the house was alive.
At the end of the corridor stood a door.
Unlike the East Wing, this one wasn't cracked or broken.
It was… sealed.
Clean. Smooth. Silent.
A faint symbol glowed at its center.
"…This one feels different," Marvin said.
Before he could move closer—
DING!
Warning: New Guest Arrival Detected.
Marvin groaned. "Of course. No break."
The front doors creaked open again.
A cold wind swept through the Guest House.
Not violent.
But sharp.
Like a blade made of air.
Marvin stepped into the main hall just as the new guest entered.
He froze.
This one was different.
Tall. Thin. Wrapped in layers of pale fabric that seemed to drift even without wind. Its face was hidden beneath a smooth, white mask—no eyes, no mouth, no expression.
But Marvin could feel it looking at him.
DING!
Guest Registered: Veilwalker
Guest Tier: Rare
Status: Unknown
Marvin swallowed. "…Why are the new ones always creepy?"
The Veilwalker stopped a few steps away from him.
Then—
It tilted its head.
Slowly.
As if studying him.
"You are the Host," it said.
Its voice wasn't loud.
But it echoed.
Not in the room—
Inside Marvin's head.
"Yeah…" Marvin said carefully. "That's me."
Silence followed.
Then the Veilwalker spoke again.
"This place… has been found."
Marvin frowned. "Found? By who?"
The Veilwalker did not answer.
Instead, it raised a hand and pointed—
Not at Marvin.
But at the sealed West Wing door.
Marvin turned.
The symbol on the door flickered.
Just once.
Then went still again.
"…Okay, I don't like that," Marvin said.
DING!
New Quest Assigned: Investigate the West Wing.
Objective: Unlock the sealed chamber.
Warning: Unknown Risk Level.
Reward: Advanced Facility Control.
Marvin stared at the quest.
Then at the door.
Then back at the Veilwalker.
"…You're not going to help, are you?"
The Veilwalker remained still.
Watching.
Waiting.
Marvin sighed. "Yeah… I figured."
Behind him, the other guests began to gather.
The Star-Kind Traveler glowed faintly, observing.
Ironjaw crossed his arms, silent but ready.
Glimmerfin floated nervously.
The Whispering Shadow whispered softly—
"The next door opens… but not without a price."
Marvin took a deep breath.
"…Why is there always a price?"
No one answered.
He looked back at the West Wing door.
Whatever was behind it…
Was waiting.
And this time—
It wasn't broken.
It was sealed for a reason.